Ex-Ohio House speaker bought $330K home amid FBI probe

May 17, 2019

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s former House speaker purchased a $330,000 house since resigning amid a federal investigation.

County records show Republican Cliff Rosenberger’s new 3,249-square-foot (301.8-square-meter), four-bedroom home sits on a quarter acre (1,012 square meters) in Warren County. The Dayton Daily News reports Rosenberger’s 2018 financial disclosure form listed no income sources beyond the legislative job he left last April and modest interest.

Rosenberger’s attorney said he’s confident the purchase isn’t related to an FBI investigation into Rosenberger’s dealings with payday lenders.

Documents show Rosenberger formed a corporation Oct. 10 and bought the home Oct. 31. His private mortgage issuer was incorporated between those dates.

Rosenberger also disclosed owing money to an entity controlled by Republican donor and heiress Ginni Ragan. Ragan rented him a Columbus condo when he was speaker.